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Daily Devotion: Psalm 24:6

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Psalm 24:6    "This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah."

Human nature is such that we learn to say even at a very early age, "I can do it myself." We want to think we can take life by the horns and maneuver our way around by our own power and ingenuity.  The wise man Solomon included the thought in his book of wisdom called Proverbs, "There are many devices in a man's heart." (Proverbs 19:21)  By this he is saying man always has ideas and thoughts to try to bring him to a satisfactory conclusion. In other words, he was saying, "I can do it myself." But his wisdom taught him that there is a better, more satisfactory conclusion:  "Nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand." (Proverbs 19:21)

Today's verse gives reference to Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekkah, grandson of Abraham.  Jacob was one who used deceit and trickery to get his way in life. He deceived his own father into giving him the blessing of inheritance that should have gone to Esau, his brother. He deceived his father in law in order to gain material possessions. But, he could not trick God into doing what he wanted Him (God) to do.  The Lord brought Jacob to the place where his only recourse was to seek the face of the Lord and the true blessings of life which only come from God.

David made reference to Jacob in talking about the generation of his day.  This is the generation that will stop and take notice that their only help comes from the Lord. It seems he was writing those words with the hope that indeed a generation would rise up with the understanding that their help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth and all that is therein. (See Psalm 24:1-2)  He concludes this verse with the word, Selah. If you have studied this word, you know it means to stop and think about what was just said.  David was saying, in my wording, "This is the generation that will stop their own antics and begin looking for the direction of the Lord. Think about this and meditate upon the fact that God is our only help."

I don't need to spend a lot of words saying, we need this very thing in our lives today.  We need a generation in our own nation that will stop their own antics and begin seeking the wisdom and direction of the Lord God Almighty.  Not only do we need to seek His direction, we need to stop trying to do it ourselves and place our dependence and trust in Him. Our God is able to do all things. In the following verses, you can see what will happen if we will simply trust the Lord.  "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in." (Psalm 24:17)  We truly need the King of glory to come into our families, our churches, our communities, and our nation.  In more than one place, the Word of God states that if we will seek Him with our hearts, He will be found.  Are we truly seeking Him, or, are we still trying to "do it ourselves"?

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